Coach Steve Schmidt evaluates the Mott Bears basketball team

View full sizeJoseph Tobianski | The Flint JournalLeviante Davis (center) and Mike Brigham (right) have been staples around the basket for the Mott Bears this season.

FLINT, Michigan — Mott basketball coach Steve Schmidt is at his best when he’s “peeved off.”

At least that’s what his assistant, Dave Clarke, told him earlier this season.

While Schmidt admitted he can get emotional at times, he doesn’t want to be known as a guy who’s never satisfied.

“I don’t want to be like (Michigan State coach) Tom Izzo, who always seems like he’s mad at his team all the time,” joked Schmidt who said he has "nothing but respect" for the Spartans coach. “But I do understand because of the expectations that we both have for our players. I feel like I’m becoming like that. I want to be more positive.”

The Bears have endured one of the toughest NJCAA Division II schedules in the country. They’re now riding an eight-game win streak into the break. In order to understand where they’re going, you have to look at where they came from.

And if it weren’t for a few “spirited” talks from Schmidt, the Bears (11-2) might not be where they’re at today.

Schmidt was “at his best” during late November.

He was livid.

The Bears dropped a crucial rivalry game, 70-69 to Lansing Community College on Nov. 20, and turned around six days later and lost to Triton (Ill.) during the Lansing Classic.

Schmidt demanded accountability after the consecutive defeats. He publicly questioned his team’s work ethic, desire and heart.

“You know, that was kind of an eye-opener for everyone, the players, the staff,” said Schmidt. “It was really frustrating. The thing we lacked besides being a true team, and I mean a team by the definition of the word, is that we were a group of individuals.

“I can’t account for why that happened. It’s not what I stress with my coaching. It just happened. I think it cost us early.”

The players were disappointed, too.

But the Bears turned things around, and they went on a tear from Dec. 4-18 which included blowout wins over Kellogg (twice) and Alpena, three road wins — and two competitive victories over Grand Rapids and Lansing, which are two of the best teams in the state.

“It’s a good way to go into the break,” said Schmidt. “We’re playing well, and we played a good, solid schedule.”

Are the Bears at their height, or can Mott followers expect their team to continue to rise?

“I’m not worried about us peaking,” said Schmidt. “I see a lot of areas where we need to get better. We still need to be more consistent, but yet it’s really encouraging.

"I can see our players becoming more focused. Our players are becoming a better team and supporting each other.”

Schmidt is pleased with his guard’s recent showings.

He challenged sophomore forwards Doug Anderson and Mike Brigham, and they’ve both answered their coach’s call.

"They're starting to get into a comfort level with our
program," said Schmidt. "I expect them to have much improved second halves of the season. It
was an adjustment. I realize I'm an adjustment — as a coach — for a kid to make.
I'm very demanding."

With the demands comes progress, and Schmidt sees it on the horizon.

“I really think this team is going to get better,” said Schmidt. “I can tell you from a staff standpoint that we’re going to continue to really drive this team and push this team to continue to improve.”

Schmidt is pleased with...

It may be the season for giving, but the Mott Bears are stingy — at least when it comes to allowing points. The Bears surrender just 57.923 points per game, which is the second lowest in the nation (NJCAA Division II).

Playing formidable opponents has helped the Bears mold themselves into a competitive team. Schmidt likes that.

"I'm pleased that we're able to bring the quality of teams
that we've been able to," he said. "I work hard at bringing quality people in here to play
us."

"I appreciate the staff that I have and how loyal they've
been and how valuable they are," he said. "They know that I respect their input. They really
helped me through that tough part earlier this season when I was questioning
everyone's focus."